The Beatles – More Popular Than Led Zeppelin And The Rolling Stones, But Not Jesus [VIDEO]

flickr luis fernando reis
flickr luis fernando reis

In early 1966, John Lennon’s famous quote about his band, The Beatles, being “more popular than Jesus” was published in a British newspaper. In that same article, Lennon also said, “Christianity will go. It will shrink and vanish.” So far, he’s wrong about Christianity, but correct that The Beatles are most popular band of our lifetime, based on the only objective scale – sales.

CNN compiled a list this week of the 32 Top Selling Rock Bands of All Time in the U.S. See the list in the amazingly annoying (I wouldn’t waste my time clicking through it) slide show format HERE. I mean, who’s got 15 minutes to click through any slide show on the internet, right! Stop it, IT fools.

In summary, The Beatles were #1 on the list, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, with 178 million units sold. Led Zeppelin was #2 with 111.5 million. The Eagles got the bronze with 101 million sold. Pink Floyd (75 million), AC/DC (72), The Rolling Stones (66.5) and Aerosmith (66.5) round out the top six.

Important to remember that these are units sold ONLY in the U.S., not worldwide rock sales numbers. A list of worldwide sales numbers can be found via Wikipedia HERE. In worldwide sales stats, The Beatles are still #1, Zeppelin’s #2 and Pink Floyd is third overall. AC/DC, Queen and The Stones round out the 4-6 global sales slots.

Playing with the numbers, I found it interesting that Queen was the 19th top selling rock act in the U.S., but #5 on the world list. Didn’t surprise me to find The Eagles as #3 in the U.S., but #7 in the world. Boston’s Aerosmith has a similar higher ranking here than abroad. U2, like Queen, was ranked higher worldwide (#8) than in the U.S. (#10)..

Our classic rock corporate overlords would likely say that Zeppelin and The Stones are the biggest classic rock bands in our radio format and deserve the most air play, with AC/DC probably finishing third. I’d say ranking who’s the best or greatest in anything is subjective. For me, the Beatles should be #1 in airplay, as they are in total sales in our country and around the world.

Doc Watson

 

 

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